Patents Examined by Steven Falk
  • Patent number: 4585941
    Abstract: The dosimetry system used with a strontium-rubidium infusion system is a very high speed circuit capable of measuring the radioactive dosage infused into a patient in real time. The dosimetry system is capable of receiving very short duration input pulses generated by a photomultiplier tube in response to the presence of radioactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: E. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian C. Bergner
  • Patent number: 4585009
    Abstract: The dosimetry system used with a strontium-rubidium infusion system is a very high speed circuit capable of measuring the radioactive dosage infused into a patient in real time. The dosimetry system is capable of receiving very short duration input pulses generated by a photomultiplier tube in response to the presence of radioactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: E. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel L. Barker, Michael D. Loberg
  • Patent number: 4570641
    Abstract: A method for optimizing length in a detached striated muscle being surgically reattached. The method includes illuminating a bundle of fibers in the muscle to produce a diffraction pattern related to sarcomere spacing in the fibers. Prior to surgical reattachment, the muscle is stretched to an optimal length, an evidenced by a preselected spacing between a pair of different-order diffraction lines in the diffraction pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Richard L. Lieber, Ronald J. Baskin
  • Patent number: 4569674
    Abstract: A continuous vacuum drainage system for wound drainage. A base unit has apparatus responsive to releasable attachment thereto of a drain reservoir for evacuating the reservoir to a subatmospheric pressure in a predetermined range. The drain reservoir is continuously operable before, during and after release from the base unit for uninterrupted suction draining of a wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Earl G. Phillips, Robert W. Insalaco, William M. Booth, III
  • Patent number: 4564012
    Abstract: In a laser surgical equipment consisting of a laser oscillator oscillating a laser output, an optical waveguide connected to the laser oscillator and transmitting the laser output and a hand piece connected to the optical waveguide and radiating the laser output to a diseased part to be radiated, the improvement comprising a detector for detecting the laser output from the hand piece, a comparator for comparing the output of the detector with a predetermined value and a controller for controlling the laser oscillator by the output of the comparator and for setting the laser output of the hand piece to the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Shimada, Chiaki Shinbo, Hideyuki Horiuchi, Masamoto Takatsuji
  • Patent number: 4562842
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuously monitoring the loss of blood suffered by a patient in the course of a surgical operation. The apparatus provides a means for sucking the combination of blood and irrigating solution gathered about the incision, and for sequentially measuring the volumes and densities of small samplings of the solution-and-blood mixture being drawn through the conduit leading from the incision area to the suction device. The apparatus relies on the difference between the respective densities of the blood and of the irrigating solution in order to calculate the exact volume of blood contained in each sampling. The blood loss is continuously accumulated and displayed on a visual read-out, so that a corresponding amount of blood can be transfused to the patient in order to maintain his blood pressure throughout the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Diane E. Morfeld
    Inventors: Diane E. Morfeld, Henri J. A. Charmasson
  • Patent number: 4557271
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasively measuring and analyzing bilateral D.C. bioelectric potentials associated with organized electrical field patterns about discrete anatomical sites on the dermal surface (skin) of human subjects for the purpose of generating data for use by medical practitioners in diagnosing existing or impending illness, dysfunction, disease and/or pathology. The apparatus simultaneously measures D.C. potentials at 10 to 14 bilateral dermal sites through multipoint voltage sensing electrodes and develops a maximum bilateral D.C. potential differential value for each sensed point at each sensing site with respect to a ground potential. The apparatus compares the highest differential voltage values of the right body sites with the highest differential voltage values of the left body sites to determine significant voltage value asymmetry between like right-left pairs of sites. The discrete bilateral anatomical dermal sites utilized for potential measurement yield measurably high D.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Stoller, Barry E. Taff
  • Patent number: 4556069
    Abstract: A test method for measuring the differential processing time of each side of a subject's auditory system and indicating brain dominance employing an audiometric screening system including signal generation electronics, operator controls, displays and a set of earphones. The system electronics generate left channel and right channel signals to produce complex aural stimuli. The system allows the testor to adjust and monitor the phase of the two aural stimuli, one injected into each ear of the test subject, until subject perceives the source of the sound. The system provides a digital readout of the signal phase, yielding a quantitative measure of the differential processing time of a subject's auditory system and brain side dominance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Energy Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie W. Dalton, Jr., James A. Boehm, III, William K. Cooper
  • Patent number: 4554923
    Abstract: An electrical therapeutic assembly and method for reducing pain and edema in a hand uses an electrically conducting material contiguously disposed with respect to the skin on an area enveloped by said conducting material. The skin is free of any externally applied mediums so that there is a substantially dry contact between the skin and the electrically conducting medium. A substantially uniform electric current is passed throughout the entire conducting medium to apply the current to the enveloped area. The electric current is applied at a shock pulse rate sufficient to reduce pain in the enveloped area without causing heat build-up within the tissue of the human body. A particular feature of the assembly makes use of a woven, mesh metal material that is in direct contact with the area of the human body and effective to apply electrical shock pulses over the entire enveloped area. The metal mesh material is in the form of a glove for enveloping a hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventor: Robert C. Batters
  • Patent number: 4554917
    Abstract: An ophthalmological surgical device comprises a laser unit (10) adapted to emit at least one laser beam (F) and an operating unit (11) adapted to focus the laser beam or beams (F) on an aiming point (0). The operating unit (11) incorporates a focusing lens (36) and a mirror (37). These are mounted on a supporting chassis (16) adjustably mounted on a base (24). First control device accessible to the operator control the position of the chassis (16) on the base (24). The lens (36) and mirror (37) are together mounted on an assembly (40) in turn mounted on the support chassis (16). The assembly (40) is movable relative to the chassis (16) under the control of second control device separate from the first control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Essilor International Cie Generale d'Optique
    Inventor: Luc Tagnon
  • Patent number: 4554930
    Abstract: A pressure sensing device includes a sensor for continuously measuring the pressure on a patient's skin at the interface between the skin and a surface exerting pressure on the skin. A monitoring device monitors the pressure exerted on the skin and the elapsed time period during which the skin has been exposed to the measured pressure. An alarm then indicates when the combination of the pressure and the elapsed time is approaching a previously determined level in order to prevent damage to the patient's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventor: Donald W. Kress
  • Patent number: 4554909
    Abstract: A therapeutic instrument, and method, for radiation treatment of patients with carcinoma of the cervix and uterus. An elongated uterovaginal tandem having a curved proximal end is inserted in the uterine cavity, and an intravaginal applicator having a bore receiving the tandem is slid over the tandem into the vagina, and the tandem and applicator are fixed so that no relative motion therebetween is possible. The applicator obviates the need for packing of the vagina, having a quadrate cross-section, with rounded corners that substantially fills the vagina if the appropriate size of applicator is selected. Sutures are used to connect the distal end of the applicator adjacent the vaginal introitus. The applicator is then loaded with a pair of containers of irradiative material, the containers inserted utilizing handles through passageways in the applicator to cavities in the applicator on either side of the tandem and adjacent the slanted proximal end of the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventor: Jose L. Pino y Torres
  • Patent number: 4553958
    Abstract: A controller (34) is disclosed for use with a dual delivery system including a primary fluid container (12) and a secondary fluid container (14). The display (48) on the controller (34) presents a representation of the primary and secondary containers and prompts the operator to input the desired primary and secondary fluid flow rates and primary and secondary fluid volumes to be infused. During operation of the controller, a series of flow lines displays (118, 126, 144) represent motion of fluid from the container being drained to indicate to the operator which fluid is being infused. An alarm will be sounded upon the detection of an occlusion within the flow lines, the presence of air within the flow lines or an open door on the controller. During the flow from a particular container, the displays associated with the other container are deactivated to prevent confusion to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Quest Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. LeCocq
  • Patent number: 4553552
    Abstract: A hemodialysis conductivity meter apparatus is provided for measuring dialysate concentration using a self contained syringe. The meter includes a syringe body having a needle attached thereto with a syringe plunger coacting with the body to draw fluid into the body. A pair of electrodes are positioned for contact with the fluid in the syringe body while a power source located on the syringe generates an electric current reading across the electrodes responsive to the fluid in the syringe body. An output meter attached to the syringe gives an immediate reading of the conductivity of the fluid. The plunger of the syringe may be used to keep the electrodes clean and an alternate embodiment allows the syringe plunger to switch the meter on when drawing fluid thereinto and to switch the meter off when removing the plunger or pushing the liquid out of the syringe body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Inventors: Joseph M. Valdespino, Allen K. Holcomb, William M. Hobby
  • Patent number: 4550713
    Abstract: Deformity, displacement and expulsion of the ocular tissues during eye surgery of the type in which there is a cut through the ocular wall, is opposed by the method and apparatus of this invention. According to the invention, the external surface of the eye is divided into two areas by defining a line on the external eye wall that forms a closed loop surrounding the sites where incisions through the eye wall are to be made or where cuts through the eye wall have already been made by traumatic injury. Then, according to the invention, air pressure higher than atmospheric is generated, when needed, in a work space outside the eye adjacent to that part of the external eye wall that lies within the closed loop, without compressing the external surfaces of the eye that lie outside the closed loop. The eye is concurrently stabilized against the applied pressure by attachment to a fixation device, usually at points along the line between the pressurized and non-pressurized zones of the external eye wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Frederic E. Hyman
  • Patent number: 4551134
    Abstract: An intravenous set is described which includes a housing which defines three separate chambers: an uppermost valve chamber, an intermediate volumetric chamber, and a lowermost drip chamber. The valve chamber is provided with an externally actuated structure for interrupting the flow of fluids into the volumetric chamber. In alternate embodiments, this valve member can include a magnetically responsive element, a diaphragm, or a pinch tube. A volumetric chamber is provided with a predetermined volume and is adapted for remote sensing of the fluid level inside the volumetric chamber. Fluids pass from the volumetric chamber into the drip chamber where they are formed into individual drops. The drip chamber is adapted to allow remote detection of drop formation and drop counting. A controller is described which, when used in conjunction with the described intravenous set, provides extremely accurately controlled rates of infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Nuvatec, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Slavik, William B. Huber
  • Patent number: 4549556
    Abstract: An implantable neural stimulator lead for introduction to and fixation in the epidural space of a patient includes an electrical conductor coated with a non-conductive coating and having a contact region thereon including an electrode for stimulating the patient's spinal cord through the dura. The contact region is located substantially intermediate the distal ends of the lead, whereby the lead may be installed and fixed in the epidural space by manipulation of both ends of the lead. A second surrogate lead is also provided for coupling to an end of the stimulator lead to enable the stimulator lead to be pulled into a position in the patient's body where stimulation is to be effected. One end of the surrogate lead includes a groove to facilitate snaring with a looped snare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: Peter P. Tarjan, Sandra L. Miller, John Martin
  • Patent number: 4548212
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting thermographic examinations of localized portions of the body in which a localized area of the body is cooled. A liquid crystal film is affixed directly against the body and the localized area and film are re-cooled to a uniform temperature. The localized area of the body and the film are rewarmed and visual images appearing on the liquid crystal film, as surface temperatures increase through the sensitivity range of the film, are recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Inventor: Frank K. Leung
  • Patent number: 4542752
    Abstract: An implantable device is provided by a process that includes preparing a substrate which has a low impedance carbon coating over a porous substrate. The carbon coating is a carbon lattice formed by plasma depositing a hydrocarbon within an energized gaseous environment. The implantable device is one into which tissue ingrowth is desired, such as electrodes for cardiac and neurostimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: Abel DeHaan, David C. MacGregor
  • Patent number: 4542753
    Abstract: A stimulator for penile erection comprises a body member which may be inserted into the rectum of a user, the body member being so shaped as to closely conform to the topological configuration of the rectum from the anal area to a site adjacent to the prostate gland. Within the body member is electrical circuitry for generating a neurally stimulating electrical signal. Electrodes, placed at particular locations on the surface of the body member, apply the signal to the user. At least one of the electrodes closely contacts the prostate gland when the body member is operatively disposed, at a region or spot on the prostate gland previously determined to be sensitive to electrical stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Biosonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry S. Brenman, Philip Katz, Harold L. Schwartz